PhD: Mechanochemical Sensing for Soft Robots

1000scholars; Groningen; On-site; EUR 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Holiday allowance 8%

Development opportunities

International, interdisciplinary team

Job summary

University of Groningen invites PhD students to join a rapidly expanding team to develop a new class of chemical touch sensors for soft robotics. You will amplify mechanochemical signals, transport them through microfluidic channels, and integrate them into robotic hands, advancing sensing capabilities.

Applicants should hold an MSc in chemistry with experience in systems chemistry, microfluidics, or organic synthesis, and be proficient in English.

Qualifications

• An M.Sc. degree in chemistry or equivalent.
• Demonstrable research experience in systems chemistry, microfluidics, and/or organic synthesis.
• Motivation to design and synthesize novel reaction networks and study their behaviour in innervated soft robots
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Willingness to acquire a variety of additional skills ranging from basic programming to 3D modelling.
• Well-developed communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop soft robotic components with microfluidic channels that can transport chemical signals.
• Establish chemical reaction networks that allow for amplification of mechanochemical signals and quantify their behaviour, supported by kinetic modelling.
• Work with soft materials and 3D design and understand how signals travel through materials and activate movement responses.
• Develop a systems chemistry approach to employ mechanophores for robotics.

Skills

Systems chemistry

Microfluidics

Organic synthesis

Programming

3D modelling

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Independent work

Education

M.Sc. in chemistry

Job description

University of Groningen invites PhD students to join a rapidly expanding team to develop a new class of chemical touch sensors for soft robotics. You will amplify mechanochemical signals, transport them through microfluidic channels, and integrate them into robotic hands, advancing sensing capabilities.

Applicants should hold an MSc in chemistry with experience in systems chemistry, microfluidics, or organic synthesis, and be proficient in English.